• Latest
  • Trending

Let’s Go Jogging!!

March 1, 2012
Auto Draft

Poson Poya

June 9, 2022
Seasonal Fruities in Our Island Nation

Seasonal Fruities in Our Island Nation

June 9, 2022
Poson and the Mihintale Season

Poson and the Mihintale Season

June 9, 2022
Wine, Hiking & Well-Being

Wine, Hiking & Well-Being

June 8, 2022
Behind the Scenes Green Chefs

Behind the Scenes Green Chefs

June 8, 2022
THE LOOM IS HER GURU

THE LOOM IS HER GURU

May 17, 2022
The Glory of Vesak and The Teaching of Buddha

The Glory of Vesak and The Teaching of Buddha

May 17, 2022
Juicy Tropical Treats: Star Fruits

Juicy Tropical Treats: Star Fruits

May 17, 2022
VISION CARE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF REVOLUTIONIZING SRI LANKA’S EYE CARE INDUSTRY

VISION CARE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF REVOLUTIONIZING SRI LANKA’S EYE CARE INDUSTRY

May 13, 2022
Chilling in Arugambay

Chilling in Arugambay

May 13, 2022
MINISTRY OF CRAB RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR 

MINISTRY OF CRAB RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR 

May 17, 2022
Safilo Group hosts ‘Buying Day’ marking Carrera’s 65 years of Design and Quality

Safilo Group hosts ‘Buying Day’ marking Carrera’s 65 years of Design and Quality

May 14, 2022
Retail
Monday, July 4, 2022
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 2022
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Let’s Go Jogging!!

by
in Features, Slider, Stamina
0 0
0

 

The paved area of the walking track in Oruthota

Huff…. gasp… puff… left…right… left… huff… gasp… No I am not casting a spell, if that’s what you are thinking! I am jogging along the newly laid tracks in Oruthota, Gampaha.

Words Udeshi Amarasinghe  Photographs Menaka Aravinda

At first I could not help but be curious – a jogging track in Gamapaha? And it was said to run through a paddy field as well…hmmm. Dressed in track bottoms and sneakers my friend and I decided to put our stamina to the test and jog the course in Oruthota.

At the entrance stood a sculpture of a majestic lion, reminiscent of the Yapahuwa tradition. A small sign made out of wood read ‘0m’ indicating that we had yet to begin our run. And run we did along the neatly paved path with the trees shading us from the evening sun. What’s unique about this track is that it runs the width of a paddy field for 3km, away from the hustle and bustle of the road. The track begins at the Oruthota Road and ends at Church Road. While jogging I could not help but be mesmerised by the surroundings, a mountain range loomed in  the distance with a white stupa glistening in the sunlight. Furthermore, aquatic birds such as kingfishers, egrets, yellow wattle lapwings and storks were our constant companions. A herd of domesticated buffaloes were relaxing in the cooling waters of a small canal and one particular buffalo kept calling out to the joggers as they dashed by and seemed to have a special liking for my friend.

A large canal runs along the jogging path and is said to have been dredged deeper thus preventing flooding during the rains. This has enhanced the scenic beauty of the location. A metal bridge connects the main path to the alternative path, which is where many engage in their cooling down exercises. Deep pink Bougainvillea have been planted on the well manicured lawns giving an aura… well let’s say a hint of romance to the air… other than the fitness enthusiasts, young couples have found the Oruthota tracks to be the ideal location for a leisurely walk.

Along the track as you jog, the small wooden signs indicate the 
distance you have gone and we were quite surprised at how quickly we were covering it. In order to create awareness of the many plant varieties in the vicinity each plant has been labelled with its common name, scientific name and importance. Attikka (Ficus recemosa), Nuga (Ficus benghalensis) and Jacaranda 
(Jacaranda minosaefolia) are but a few of the large number of plants along the track. Furthermore on the banks of the canal, on a muddy patch you also find edible greens such as 
Mukunuwenna. A run along the Oruthota track is bound to be 
educational as well.

At the entrance stood a sculpture of a majestic lion, reminiscent of the Yapahuwa tradition. A small sign made out of wood read ‘0m’ indicating that we had yet to begin our run.

The surface of the track changes, where the brick paved track 
gradually gives way to large granite stones, then pebbles, red soil, sand, grass and soil again which continues till the end of the track where the surface roughness changes again towards the end. A large board details the healing points in 
reflexology and how the changing surfaces contribute to give the best results. Joggers are to take off their shoes in this stretch so that they can experience the different surfaces and they are to wash their feet once 
finished as this too is part of the treatment, and run the rest of the track with their shoes on. I tried it but I must say that I chickened out as it is a bit difficult to walk on the varying surfaces although there were quite a few joggers just whizzing past barefoot!

As dusk fell the solar powered lights came on illuminating the path as the determined ran back and forth along the track. The bridge cast a beautiful reflection on the water.

The Oruthota tracks are for families too, and this was quite evident with the number of youngsters with their parents – some walking, some jogging and others just spending the evening with their loved ones. A cute sight was a mother and her young daughter teaching the baby son to walk. Another was a mother and her two sons jumping at a fast pace as they cooled down after a run. There were many such touching scenes.

As dusk fell the solar powered lights came on illuminating the path as the determined ran back and forth along the track. The bridge cast a beautiful reflection on the water, while a young couple took photographs of each other. We jogged to the end of the track, which is at Church Road and walked back to the entrance on Oruthota Road, which says a lot about our stamina! Intermittently placed stools, which were the stumps of trees gave a moment’s respite to the weary.

I was almost dragging my feet as we finished our jog/walk but I must say it was worth it. The jogging track in Oruthota, Gampaha is definitely the place to be healthy.

[nggallery id=239]

TweetShareShare

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

Auto Draft

Poson Poya

Seasonal Fruities in Our Island Nation

Seasonal Fruities in Our Island Nation

Poson and the Mihintale Season

Poson and the Mihintale Season

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • Poson Poya
  • Seasonal Fruities in Our Island Nation
  • Poson and the Mihintale Season

Find Us

Address : BT Options 536,
R. A. De Mel Mawatha,
Colombo 03,
Sri Lanka
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 2022
      • January 2022
      • February 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • June 2022
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In